Frequently Asked Questions

Login In Questions

How do I access the Tk20 Login Page?

There is a link at the left of this page and all of the SHSU support pages to Tk20, but you may bookmark https://tk20.shsu.edu if you would like to. The login page requires you enter your SHSU username and password.

What Username and Password do I use to log into Tk20?

Students and faculty will use their current SHSU Username and Password. These are the same credentials used to log into SHSU email. If you have forgotten your username or password, you will need to contact SHSU Computer Services for this information or reset.

Mentor teachers (also called cooperating teachers) will be issued a Tk20 username and password. The Tk20 Support Team will send this to all mentor teachers within a couple weeks of the beginning of an assignment. We also forward the login information to the University Supervisor. If this information does not arrive within a reasonable amount of time, mentor teachers should contact the Tk20 Administrator for this information or for a reset of their password. Use the Contact link at the top of this page.

Mentor teachers may also be required to change their passwords the first time they log in following a password reset.

Focused Content Observers will also receive specific log in information from SHSU Tk20 Support on a timely basis for their focused content evaluations.

What should I do if I receive the "Invalid Username/Password" error message?

Check to make sure you are entering your password correctly. Your password is case sensitive!

Students and SHSU Faculty: You should use the same username and password that you use for SHSU email, even if you changed it recently as these are synchronized by IT@Sam. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to IT@Sam for reset.

Mentor Teachers and Focused Content Observers should use the Contact link to the right to resolve this issue. The Tk20 Support Team will assist you.

What should I do if I receive one of the following error messages: "This User Account is Inactive" or "Your login was unsuccessful. Your student account has not been activated in the system"?

All students are required to pay for their own accounts if not already activated. There is a link in the lower left of the login page students to follow to pay for their Tk20 accounts "Students: click here to activate and pay for your Tk20 account."

Faculty, staff, FCOs and Mentor Teachers do not pay for their Tk20 accounts.

Note: Once activated, a Tk20 account is available for student use for 7 years.

Who should I contact if I am unable to log into Tk20?

Contact the SHSU Tk20 Support Team by using the Contact link at the right of this page.

About Tk20

Is Tk20 replacing BlackBoard?

No, BlackBoard is a teaching tool that is focused more on the administrative process of teaching a class and generally only holds one semester of data at a time. Tk20 is a data collection tool and reporting that collects assignments and artifacts from you throughout your college career and beyond.

Why are we using the Tk20 system?

Tk20 collects data from many areas and provides feedback to faculty, staff and administrators for quality improvement of our programs.

Further, in an effort to maintain the standards of the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE), the College of Education implemented an information system product to help students track their progress through the curriculum. Tk20 was chosen for this purpose after a review of solutions used by top universities around the country.

Tk20 is an electronic toolkit used by candidates to provide evidence that they have mastered state and professional standards for the profession. Tk20 also assists students manage their program requirements as well as acting as a repository of assessed coursework, field experience and binders.

Paying for Tk20

Do I have to pay for Tk20?

Yes, students must pay for Tk20, but make sure by trying to log in using your SHSU username and password. If Tk20 welcomes you by name, then you are already activated. Students who are not activated must pay for their own accounts.

How often do I have to pay the Tk20 fee?

The Tk20 fee is a one-time-only fee and is a 7 year license. This means that you will still be able to access Tk20 after you graduate and start your career.

Why do I have to pay for Tk20?

Part of the contract with Tk20 is an agreement that students pay a support fee. This fee goes towards the upkeep of the Tk20 system and technical support offered to the University. Tk20 is an electronic toolkit used by candidates to provide evidence that they have mastered state and professional standards for the profession. Tk20 also assists students manage their program requirements as well as acting as a repository of assessed coursework, field experience and binders.

What should I do if I think I need a refund on my Tk20 Student Account?

If you need a refund on your Tk20 Student Account, please use the contact link on the right and get in touch with the SHSU Tk20 Administrator (tk20@shsu.edu) as soon as possible.

Tk20 will offer refunds for student subscriptions as per the following policy:

For accounts completely unused, and a refund requested within 30 days of purchase: Full refund.

For accounts completely unused, and a refund requested between 31 days and 6 months of purchase: 50% refund.

No refunds will be issued after six months of purchase under any condition.

If you feel that you are eligible for a refund, please contact your Tk20 Unit Administrator and discuss the situation with them. They can contact Tk20 directly and initiate the refund process.

Using Tk20

Will I "timeout" of Tk20 if I do not use it?

YES. All users should be aware that Tk20 will time out if no activity occurs. Use 30 minutes as a guideline: save your work at least every 30 minutes to avoid losing your work!

The 30 minute timer is reset each time you either (a) click on a navigation button on the top or the left-hand portion of the page, or (b) click a button at the bottom of a page, such as "save", "cancel" or "submit." Simply entering information into a text box or clicking a radio button will not reset the timer. Students: if you are completing an assignment that requires a large amount of text or typing, you may want to print the assignment and create your answers in a word processor, such as MS Word. When ready, log in to Tk20 and then copy and paste your responses from Word to Tk20.

Save your work regularly!

If you are using a public computer for Tk20 or any other sensitive work, remember to log out and close your browser before walking away.

Why does Tk20 tell me I have timed out after I have logged in and clicked on a link or menu item?

Tk20 uses "cookies" to keep you logged in as you move from one menu, tab or screen to another. Cookies are small files stored on your computer that through your browser (Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) settings can be disabled completely, allowed only from the originating website or set to accept all cookies. If after you log in successfully - it will welcome you by name - you click somewhere and immediately receive a message that you were timed out, then an adjustment to your browser options is required to use Tk20. If desired, you may changed these setting back after completing your Tk20 work.